And slowly, the color came back into her life.

When I was younger, I used to say that I could only perform well in school if I spent the time every morning to get dressed. Sure I used to be late for home period literally every single day (and I lived five minutes from my high school) but it was important for me to feel good about myself physically to feel confident about my schoolwork and participation. Even in college, when most rolled into class in sweats or leggings, I always took the time to pull myself together every time I was on campus (I shudder thinking back to those horrifying outfits, but hey, I felt great in the moment).

Recently, I was organizing my closet (for the fifth time in quarantine, because what else am I to do with my free time) and found myself sorting through endless piles of black, white, and beige clothing. I realized it was a direct reflection of this moment in my life – the uncertainty of job hunting, the fear of contracting disease, the longing for getting back to life with friends, getting a drink at a bar, checking out the newest restaurant.

Professor Carolyn Mair, a behavioural psychologist and the author of ‘The Psychology of Fashion’, recently wrote an op-ed for BOF about how in a crisis, looking good (however that translates for you personally) can have the power to make us feel good. She says:

‘Fashion is our second skin. What we wear says a great deal about who we are and how we want to fit into society. Our outfits can also signal how we feel emotionally. But fashion doesn’t just reflect our inner selves; it can also have psychological effects that actually change how we think, feel and act… By engaging with what we’re wearing and consciously considering its symbolic meaning, we can change how we feel and even how we perform.’

So out with the beige and in with the color – bright, happy, cheerful, positive, hope-filled colors. Here are four colors that are trending, that I am loving personally, and the colored styles I am adding to my wardrobe for the season ahead.

Candy Pink

My initial reaction is oooh, shocking. But maybe its exactly the jolt I need to get out of my lounge wear and into real clothing. Luckily, its actually an easy color to pair with casual pieces in your wardrobe – pair a pink blazer with a white tee, denim shorts, and sneakers/slides. Or choose a monochrome pink for a great summer dress, and add a strappy sandal and straw handbag. And if you are feeling even bolder, couple it with other bright bold colors for an instant mood booster. Click the images to shop.

Bright Blue

I love the way bright blue looks against sun-kissed skin. And it matches the color of the sky on those perfect, warm, sunny summer days. Click the images to shop.

Celery Green

I am still trying to figure out how this color came to be popular - are we drinking lots of celery juice while in quarantine? Is the color a reminder to eat more salads instead of banana bread? Either way, it’s here to stay (at least for the summer). It’s growing on me but admittedly, I am still experimenting with how it fits into what I already own. Here are a few options I am eyeing, click the images to shop.

Pale Yellow

I have always felt that yellow looks great on the spectrum of Indian skin tones. It’s peaceful, its soft and its bright, its almost comforting in a way. Click the images to shop.